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The Effects of Bad Skin Care

The Effects of Bad Skin Care

Overview

Daily care helps maintain the health and vitality of your skin. But bad or improper skin care can do more harm than good. Using products not formulated for your skin type, washing too frequently or failing to apply sunscreen can result in permanent damage to your complexion. Treat your skin gently and with care, and discuss your routine with a dermatologist who can help you determine the right products to use.

Dry Skin

Dry skin often feels tight and uncomfortable after washing, and needs to be moisturized at least twice a day. Washing your dry skin with harsh, soap-based products strips it of essential oils and causes flaking or peeling. Exfoliating your skin more than once a week can also result in stinging or excessive dryness, the Smart Skin Care website warns. Failing to moisture dry skin after you wash it helps to compromise your skin's barriers, making it less able to ward off environmental damage. This increases your skin's sensitivity and can lead to premature aging.

Oily/Acne-Prone Skin

Oily skin looks greasy by mid-day and may also be plagued by acne. Washing your face two or three times a day helps control shine and breakouts; however, cleansing too frequently exacerbates oily skin and makes the problem worse. Applying oil-based products or heavy moisturizers clogs your pores and leads to pimples, as well as makes your skin feel greasier. Additionally, exfoliating your skin more than twice a week can irritate pimples and make your acne worse, dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal tells the American Academy of Dermatology's website.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin becomes red and inflamed easily, and it may also be prone to dryness. Products that contain fragrances, soaps or alcohol irritate delicate skin and can potentially cause a rash, as can those that contain acidic ingredients. Washing sensitive skin more than once a day or scrubbing it with abrasive cleansers or exfoliants leads to irritation. The wrong products can also cause a stinging and burning sensation in sensitive skin, and those that do not claim to be mild and non-irritating may induce other adverse reactions.

Sun Damage

Neglecting to apply sunscreen before you go outdoors wreaks havoc on your skin. Excessive sun exposure leads to premature signs of aging, sunburn, age spots, wrinkles and irritation. The Mayo Clinic advises that you avoid the outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wear protective clothing and sunblock whenever you are outside.

Warnings

If you experience any severe skin conditions or allergic reactions to products, stop using them and have your doctor examine you immediately. Taking proper care of your skin is the best way to reduce your chances of getting undesirable results. Talk to a physician before you start using any new products or if you are unsure about which ones to use.